We have all heard countless sermons preached on the story of the Prodigal Son. Focusing on topics from the son’s rebellious and disregard for his father’s authority, to a selfish and immature attitude, to his drastically sinful nature and life.

The older brother doesn’t get talked about too often. Yet, when we do hear about him, we are presented with a picture of jealously, and told how we need to avoid it, and rejoice when a ‘sinner’ returns to God.

Yet, there are some key points to this story that have stood out to me recently, that I have rarely ever heard discussed.

One is how both sons misinterpreted, or didn’t trust their father’s heart. This is crucial to understand.

Was the young son’s perception that his father was, or would, hold out on him? That he wasn’t getting all he wanted or deserved? We’re not clearly told in the story what the son was thinking, yet, you can  conclude that he misinterpreted his father’s heart.

What about the older son?

He stayed home, even though he received his share of the estate the same time his brother did! Where was his heart, his perception about his father? He makes it pretty clear for us, “…worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands.” I’m willing to say he totally misinterpreted his father’s heart.

The father’s heart…

As soon as the younger son asks for “his share of the estate that will belong to him”, the father freely gives it, to both sons. There is no dialog in the story about his father pleading with him to not take it, begging him not to waste it, or telling him what he can and can’t do with it. He doesn’t tell him that he is going to have to wait like everyone else. He simply gives it to him, unconditionally.

Think about that.

And his response to the older son on the return of the younger, “Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours.”

Did you hear that?!

What’s the father’s heart in this story? He gives unconditionally, holding nothing back, to both sons!

Do you understand that all God has is yours?

There are plenty of other stories in the bible about misinterpreting or not trusting God’s heart.

When the Israelis first arrived at the door of the promised land, what happened? They didn’t trust God’s heart and it landed them in the desert.

Adam and Eve? … They didn’t trust God’s heart.

How have you misinterpreted the Father’s heart? Are you the younger son, thinking God is holding out on you? The older son, thinking you have to earn or work for God’s favor?

Do you Trust Him?

(You can!)